There is always the debate whether to cut into an engine (brass or
plastic) and how it will effect it's value later on. I think much of
this can be answered in the early HO brass market. Old brass with their
open frame motors, crude gearboxes, and cold solder joints are all over
the place. I'm sure they will get your money back but as an
investment--not likely! I'm sure there will be similar things happening
with what's coming out now--do I buy an older used OMI E-8, or a more
recent RR E-8 or one from American Models!
I bit the bullet way back when I added stantions on the hoods, a
different bell and large side number boards (all Milw changes) to my
original Alco Models RSD-4. That was pretty scary but now I wish I
would have gone further with it. And the same things that plagued early
brass also plagued most of those Alco Models engines--so I doubt if they
would bring original price unless they have been worked on__I hear Bill
Winans does a nice job in mixing things up!
In the case of Michael and his Milw GP-20. If I'm not mistaken, the
Milwaukee built their own creatures and were not from EMD. So it might
be that he might be one of three modelers wanting those engines in any
scale. This means that individual parts will suit him fairly well while
others might need a more complete model.
Bob Werre
>
That's a way to get a less common loco but for mainstream locos it
seems very inefficient. By the time one buys a loco, tears it apart ,
buys a replacement shell and paints and decals it the investment in
time and money is very high. For short run items brass makes more
sense to me at it has a collector value as well as a runner value. The
RR 44 tonners for example have held their value quite well.
.....DaveBranum
